The holiday season is supposed to be a time of joy, relaxation, and gratitude. But when travelling during the holidays what do you do when the flight is so miserable that you ruin your holiday before you’ve even stepped off the plane?
Practice these three stress relief tips to make travelling during the holidays merry and bright from start to finish.
#1 Entertainment for Everyone
If you’re traveling with family, you’ll undoubtedly need to look after their needs as well as your own. And when your kids are hungry, tired, bored, or uncomfortable (their four favorite emotions), that only adds to your stress levels.
Keep them out of your hair so you don’t start pulling it out in frustration. Some classic kid-friendly favorites include:
- TV and movies – If you uphold a strict no-iPad rule in your household (first of all, we commend you), traveling is the one time to make an exception. Load up your computer or tablet with their favorite shows and movies. Your parenting guilt will subside as soon as you realize how much peace and quiet it affords you. Just be sure to pack a headphone splitter so they can watch something together.
- Colouring supplies – Pack a holiday-themed coloring book or find colorable printouts of your kids’ favorite movies and characters for a little DIY Christmas fun.
- Board and card games – Find travel-sized or card game versions of some of their favorite family games. Our recommendations include UNO FLIP!, the super fun Monopoly Deal card game, and a travel-sized Checkers or Backgammon set.
And don’t forget to save some of the fun for yourself—your favorite podcast, TV show, novel, iPhone game, or whatever brings you joy in the moment.
#2 A Little Airport Indulgence
This year, travelling during the holidays looks a little different, but there’s one thing that’ll never go out of style: a quick drink at the airport bar.
A glass or two of wine (at the airport, on the plane, or hey, in the passenger seat of your four-door sedan if you’re feeling up for it) will alleviate some of your stress and tension, and set you up for a much-needed nap en route. Plus, indulging in something for yourself will set the tone for the rest of the trip—you’re on vacation!
If that’s not exactly your thing, there are plenty of other relaxing ways to take the edge off:
- CBD gummies – Between the holiday crowds, long flights, and incessant chattering from the kids in the row behind you, you’ll be more than ready to pop a few super high quality CBD gummies and enjoy the rest of your trip in peace.
- Melatonin – For those dreaded red-eyes and weird time zone changes, consider taking melatonin to regulate your sleep cycle and get some much-needed shut-eye. A good nap can fix almost anything, including holiday stress.
#3 Abide by the £10 Rule
Travelling during the holidays puts everyone a little on edge. Maybe the airport brings out the worst in people, or maybe it’s the combination of no sleep, no leg room, and nowhere else to go. Either way, some fights just aren’t worth it. To avoid needless bickering and potential meltdowns, introduce this very simple rule:
If spending £10 will drastically improve everyone’s state of mind, just do it.
Your five-year-old is screaming for a sugar-filled chocolate bar even though you packed organic fruit snacks? You feel a headache coming on just as you remember you left the Advil at home? Your surly teenage son finished reading his book and now has nothing to do for the upcoming six-hour flight except complain?
Buy the candy, the painkillers, and the next book in the series. Save yourself the stress by just saying “fine.” Happy Holidays! And An Even Happier Flight Home!
Travelling during the holidays needn’t be stressful, and with the above tips you can and should destress however you need—we won’t judge!
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